Heart Play!

The pale quartz conglomerate rocks so ubiquitous in this area rose up behind a scraggly winter landscape and the frozen surface of Mohonk Lake. That muted and calming backdrop spread beyond the large picture window where we were within the warmth of The Parlor. Our team was dressed joyously in red, busy laying out a creative feast on a large table. Within that formal space, rife with elegant, detailed woodworking, impressive oil portraits, antique setees, and balcony overlooking the large carpeted room, we spread out prints of antique botanical drawings, as well as pens, paper of all kinds, scissors, glue sticks, and more tools for passionate play, creatively.

Guest UserFebruary 8, 2022Hudson Valley, Valentine's Cards, collage, HandmadeComment

Voices Shaking Free

This past Saturday, on the potent date of 9/11, twenty families and many friends gathered at Kingston Point Beach to celebrate community and the healing wrought by shared wisdom and the unique expression of our own two hands and hearts. The medium was shekere— gourd instruments, and (in this case) decorated with cotton cord and simple wooden beads—and although we each had access to the same small and large monochromatic beads, every finished piece pulsed with its very own character and range.

Guest UserSeptember 13, 2021craft, crafting, Kingston, Hudson Valley, Family Events

A Piece of the Sky

The sun was bright through the trees, white clouds a patchwork across a hopeful field of blue, and down on earth, a group of adults were buzzing with kid-like excitement. Seated like outer petals surrounding an inner bloom of color, ten women were getting introduced or reacquainted to each other, and then to three generous plants that secretly hold the capacity to offer up exquisite colors, both eco and miraculous. “Meet Indigo, Madder, and Marigold…”

blogGuest UserMay 18, 2021natural dyeing, craft, crafting, Hudson Valley Comment

Soul Speak

“What is my soul’s yearning?” It’s a powerful question that, believe it or not, can be found by simple means: scissors, a glue stick, some old magazine, and intentions.

That’s what 8 women found out yesterday when we gathered in Circle to explore SoulCollage® for three luscious hours of creative and heart opening exploration. Who knew that collage could help unleash our authentic inner voice, dreams & unconsciousness?! Well, think collage meets...spontaneous expression, authentic truth, and deep sharing. This process is that healing and connecting, while being SO fun!.

blogGuest UserMarch 1, 2021collage, craft, crafting, Hudson Valley Comment

Weaving Goodness (Part 1)

“Touching the wools seemed to awaken her a bit, like her fingers remembered something comforting she was trying not to. I soon wondered about a quiet, rising sense that, by releasing her spinning wheel to us, she might come to regret it, this dear old friend she “just wasn’t using anymore,” that had offered her deep solace…” I simply said, “Thank you,” though, collecting the bags and setting them next to the others in the dining room where the spinning wheel sat in parts, leaning up against itself and a wall. She was deciding whether a last bag was meant for us or a friend, and while she did, I scanned the room to look distracted, hoping she might keep some for herself instead.

Guest UserNovember 9, 2020weaving, spinning, craft, crafting, Hudson ValleyComment